The Corrections Task Force Project: Memorandum

The Corrections Task Force Project: Memorandum

According to a recent Bureau of Justice Statistics report, the jail population has increased nationwide. "The Census of Jail Inmates, conducted on June 30, 2005, recorded a 33,539 inmate increase, the largest 12-month growth since 1997"(BJS, 2006).

Closer to home in Utopia County jail overcrowding is at an explosive rate increase, the safety of all is at risk, and the lack of meeting the minimum jail standards. To address these problems, The County Board of Supervisors of Utopia County formed the Team B Corrections Task Force (TBCTF), to undertake planning and designing for the new jail. This Memorandum will detail the findings, including whom the new jail will house, the number of inmates it will hold, and the gender and age of expected inmates. Providing reasons behind the decisions for the recommendations for private or publicly funding and managing, summarizing purposes and functions for the type of jail, creating the name and the mission statement identifying the goals and purposes of the new jail. Issues on jail population focus on both the number and types of inmates in the jailÐ'--unfortunately, the jail has little to no control over either. Yet, the need to manage a population that often exceeds its bed space and presents risks and needs. Jails cannot screen out inmates when the numbers, risks, or needs; they must accept all inmates brought to them by various law enforcement agencies.

Method

Jails have issues and many of them, such as overcrowding, lack of funds, and management are just a few. Jails are the entrance into the correctional system, affecting the city and county on local political levels by influencing local politics, such as fiscal pressure and political conservatism, or lacking in funds. With the jail population, steadily increasing because of pre trial diversion and detention, bail problems, or short-term sentences, brings special problems. These special problems brought in with the detainees consist of mental health, substance dependency, medical and legal needs, and lack of education is just a few. With fewer resources and management issues, such as the legal liability, jail standards, and personnel problems because of poor training or working conditions, all intensify the overcrowding issues that face many jails today.

Name of jail and mission statement

The new jail shall have the name of New Utopia County Jail (NUCJ) because it will be in New Utopia City, Cook County Utopia.

Creating a mission statement for the New Utopia County Jail is an important part of planning the jail project; it will clarify the purpose and define goals and objectives; however, it is more than a motto or guideline to follow. It is critical that everyone involved understands our mission reflecting the philosophy and values of the community. Providing treatment alternatives to offenders through programs, such as education, life skills, parenting, medical, food services, and rehabilitation to lower recidivism rates and improve public safety. The guiding principles for the company and correctional officers, promoting safety and security, quality, accountability, service driven, cost-effectiveness, teamwork, communication, and innovation will help ensure the success of New Utopia County Jail.

NUCJ Mission Statement:

"In partnership with the community, we will provide a public service by running the highest quality adult detention center in the state."

Ð'* As correctional professionals, to preserve "integrity" by doing right, with honorable intentions, having "respect" by treating one another and offenders, as we want to be treated. To having "trust" being competent and reliable, building positive relationships, and upholding "loyalty" by being dedicated to our profession, responsibilities, and each other.

Ð'* As a company, to ensure "safety and security" by quality training and protection of one another; to provide "quality" services everyday, offer offenders positive programs and "accountability" by holding ourselves responsible for every action. A jail that is "service-driven" by serving our government partners and communities with pride and dedication through flexibility, problem solving, and delivering on our promises. To be "cost-effective" delivering value services to the community and promoting "teamwork" by not letting others down. Together greater contributions are made and promoting "communication" through the ability to listen, share, and speak honestly and openly with intent to improve our efforts. Most importantly, is promoting "innovation" by thinking creatively, boldly, and valuing resourcefulness."

Demographics and type of jail

The New Utopia County Jail will house 800 various aged male and female medium to maximum-security level offenders. Segregating the prisoners by sex, security level, homosexuality, medical, and special needs requiring confinement into categories makes the jail safer for prisoners, staff and volunteers. The TBCTF must decide what type of jail is required; therefore, the Corrections Task Force has studied research of Patrick Jackson and John Klofas. Jackson's study of three separate city jails including Los Angeles and San Francisco and found the Los Angeles jail housed, on average, more serious offenders than the other jails in his study. He attributed that to the fact the Los Angeles jail is a post-arraignment facility (Mays & Winfree, 2002). Conversely, at first inmates charged with less serious offenses or violations of public-order laws occupied the San Francisco jail. The San Francisco inmates typically spent a short period in jail relative to their counterparts in the Los Angeles jail system. The contrast in holding rates is because of a policy of the San Francisco police department that encourages officers to keep the undesirable members of society off the streets and out of sight of local tourist activities (Mays & Winfree, 2002).

With the knowledge the current Utopia County Jail has an equal mix of serious and non serious offenders, the Committee also considered the research of John Klofas and analyzed his Ð''jail use typology' (Mays & Winfree, 2002). Of the four jail types developed by Klofas, the Committee was unanimous in deciding that a high-use jail would be the only logical choice for the New Utopia County Jail. According to Mays and Winfree (2002), holding jails hold inmates for extended